Make eye-contact, keep control of non-verbal messages, adjust your camera angle properly, and check the background. These are the four main tips to keep in mind to have an excellence presence during your video conference.
Solutions like R-HUB`s TurboMeeting (http://www.rhubcom.com) assure speakers the necessary technology for seamless, top quality HD video conferences through which they can present their services and products or collaborate with remote teams. However, the human side of the affair is still important. So, how to behave in front of a cam? You will have no worries, if you simply follow these four basic tips that every smart speaker knows.
First, prepare the background.
Is the space behind you ready for your video-conference? Remember that the attendees will be able to notice every object around you. Some details, like a background window with a view or a TV device, could distract your audience much more than you expect. This is the reason why it is advisable to have just a white wall behind, so that the participants to your conference keep focused on your words and your presentation.
Second, adjust your camera angle of view.
Your camera angle of view must be never neglected, as it decides how you will be seen by your conference participants. Set your camera at your eye level, in order to avoid the so-called “video giant” effect, or, even worst, broadcasting your nose in the foreground. Remember that your pc cam is not automatically adjusted for the best user experience, so it is necessary to do the job manually before the conference begins.
Third, make eye-contact.
Eyes are the mirror of the soul in both real and virtual life. When eye-contact between the speaker and its audience is missing, the message that is commonly understood is an utter lack of interest. This is the reason why every communication manual suggests that you should look for eye-contact during a presentation. In a video-conference, it is sufficient to look directly into the camera lens. Yet counter intuitive, this movement will come across as direct eye-contact with your participants.
Fourth, keep control of your non-verbal messages.
A camera captures everything in its field of view, including your gestures and involuntary movements. In other words, your non-verbal messages will get clearly visible to your audience. So, it is important to be aware of one’s own facial expressions. Keep the mobile and every messenger shut downs, as every time a message pops up, you put on an involuntary facial expression that signals this new event to the participants to your conference. For the same reason, it is a good idea to show only your face and shoulders during a conference, as your arms and hands are two powerful means for non-verbal communication. Take also care of your hair dressing and clothes, and do not try to fulfill several tasks at a time: it would convey the message that you are neither paying attention, nor taking care of participants, which is always too bad.
In conclusion, video-conferencing can be really helpful as communication tool, at the condition to know its basics and respect some ground rules. It isn’t that difficult, after all; read again these four tips, and you will be ready for your first close-up!